Rakshasa (Sanskrit: राक्षस, romanised: rākṣasa; Pali: rakkhasa) is a term used in Indian religious and literary traditions to denote a race of usually malevolent supernatural beings. The word is commonly translated as "demon" or "fiend". The feminine form is rakshasi (राक्षसी, rākṣasī). Rakshasas are prominently featured in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain texts, and also appear in Indonesian folk Islamic traditions.
According to these traditions, rakshasas reside on Earth but are said to possess supernatural powers. In narrative literature they are typically described as using these powers for harmful ends, such as disrupting Vedic sacrifices or preying upon human beings. They frequently feature as antagonists in Hindu scriptures, including the epics, and also appear in this role in Buddhist and Jain literature.
The term rakshasa is sometimes also applied more broadly to asuras, a class of power-seeking beings depicted in Hindu tradition as opponents of the benevolent devas. Within this framework, rakshasas form part of the wider cosmology in which various supernatural classes interact with gods, sages and humans across mythological narratives.
Adapted from the English Wikipedia article on Rakshasa.